Folding step exerciser

ABSTRACT

A folding step exerciser is provided with a main frame including a brace and two handlebars; a transmission device including two drive shafts on both sides of the brace respectively, a first rotating shaft below the drive shafts, a first wheel, a first belt linking the drive shafts and the first wheel, a second wheel, a connection rotating shaft between the drive shafts, a third wheel adjacent to the connection rotating shaft, a second belt linking the second wheel and the third wheel, and a flywheel connected to the connection rotating shaft; two pivotal length adjustable pedals on both sides of the main frame respectively; a pulley below the transmission device; a main belt linking the pulley, the drive shafts, and the pedals; a magnetic damping device for resistance adjustment; a sensor in close proximity to one pedal; and a numeric display between the handlebars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to step exercisers and more particularly to a folding step exerciser.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional step exerciser is shown in FIG. 9 and comprises a rectangular base frame 91 adapted to rest on the ground, a front upright 92 extending substantially vertically from the base frame 91, a height adjustable handle bar 93 extending upward from an upper end of the upright 92, a brace 94 interconnecting a rear end of the base frame 91 and an intermediate portion of the upright 92, left and right foot pedals 95, 96 each having a front end pivotably secured to the front end of the base frame 91, a transverse bar 98, and two hydraulic cylinders 97 each having one end pivotably secured to one end of the bar 98 and an other end slidably secured to one of the right and left foot pedal 95 and 96.

However, the conventional step exerciser is not collapsible, resulting in difficulties of transporting or storage. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a folding step exerciser comprising a main frame for placement on a surface and comprising a brace interconnecting a front end and a rear end and a pair of handlebars extending from a top end of the brace; a transmission device comprising two coaxial drive shafts disposed on both sides of the brace respectively, a first rotating shaft disposed below the drive shafts, a first wheel coaxial with the first rotating shaft, a first belt for linking the drive shafts and the first wheel, a second wheel coaxial with the first rotating shaft, a connection rotating shaft disposed between and driven by the drive shafts, a third wheel disposed between the drive shafts adjacent to the connection rotating shaft, a second belt for linking the second wheel and the third wheel, a roller for guiding the second belt, and a flywheel operatively connected to the connection rotating shaft; two length adjustable pedals disposed on both sides of the main frame respectively, each length adjustable pedal having one end pivotably secured to a front portion of the main frame; a pulley disposed below the transmission device; a main belt for linking the pulley, the drive shafts, and the pedals; a magnetic damping device comprising a knob on the main frame, a damping member spaced from and partially put on the flywheel, the damping member including a magnetic member for attracting the flywheel, and a rope interconnecting the knob and the damping member; a sensor disposed in close proximity to one of the length adjustable pedals for sensing a pedaling motion of one of the length adjustable pedals; and a numeric display mounted between the handlebars for displaying a count of the pedaling motion of one of the length adjustable pedals sensed by the sensor; wherein a turning of the knob either decreases or increases a rotating speed of the flywheel; and wherein the pedaling motion of the length adjustable pedals rotates the drive shafts via the main belt so as to activate the transmission device which in turn rotate the connection rotating shaft, the first wheel, the first rotating shaft, the second wheel, the third wheel, and the flywheel sequentially.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a folding step exerciser according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the folding step exerciser with guard frame removed;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a lower portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts operation of the transmission assembly of the transmission device;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation showing the folded step exerciser;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing a woman using the folding step exerciser for exercise;

FIG. 8 shows a lower portion of FIG. 3 for illustrating length adjustment of the tube; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional step exerciser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a folding step exerciser in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

A main frame 1, a transmission device 2, a pedal assembly 3, a pulley 4, a main belt 5, a magnetic damping device 6, and a numeric display 7 are provided. The main frame 1 is rested on the ground and comprises a brace 12 interconnecting a front end and a rear end, a pair of handlebars 11 extending from a top end of the brace 12, and a guard frame 13 for shrouding the transmission device 2.

The transmission device 2 comprises a drive shaft assembly 21 disposed on two sides of the brace 12 and including two coaxial drive shafts 211 disposed on two sides of the brace 12 respectively, a transmission assembly 22 disposed between the drive shafts 211 and including a first rotating shaft 221 disposed below the drive shafts 211, a first wheel 224 coaxial with the first rotating shaft 221, a first belt 227 for mechanically linking the drive shafts 211 and the first wheel 224, a second wheel 223 coaxial with the first rotating shaft 221, a connection rotating shaft 225 disposed between and driven by the drive shafts 211, a third wheel 222 disposed between the drive shafts 211 adjacent to the connection rotating shaft 225, a second belt 226 for mechanically linking the second wheel 223 and the third wheel 222, a roller 229 for guiding the second belt 226, and a flywheel 228 operatively connected to the connection rotating shaft 225.

The pedal assembly 3 comprises two foot plates 30 disposed on both sides of the main frame 1 respectively. Each foot plate 30 is pivotably secured to a front portion of the main frame 1 by a tube 31 having a length can be adjusted by fastening or unfastening a thumb screw 32. The greater of the length of the tube 31 the greater of the pedal cycle and vice versa.

The pulley 4 is disposed below the transmission device 2. The main belt 5 links the pulley 4, the drive shafts 211, and the tubes 31. The magnetic damping device 6 comprises a knob 61 on the main frame 1, a damping member 62 spaced from and partially put on the flywheel 228 and including a magnetic member 621 for attracting the flywheel 228, and a rope 63 interconnecting the knob 61 and the damping member 62. Thus, for example, a clockwise turning of the knob 61 can increase a distance between the magnetic member 621 and the flywheel 228 so that a resistance for rotating the flywheel 228 can be decreased (i.e., the flywheel 228 may increase rotating speed). To the contrary, a counterclockwise turning of the knob 61 can decrease the distance between the magnetic member 621 and the flywheel 228 so that the resistance for rotating the flywheel 228 can be increased (i.e., the flywheel 228 may decrease rotating speed). A sensor 71 is disposed in close proximity to the tube 31 so that a pedaling motion of the foot plate 30 can be sensed and counted. The count is further displayed on the numeric display 7 between the handlebars 11 for user viewing.

The operation of the folding step exerciser is detailed below. A use may pedal for exercise by stepping on the foot plates 30 upward and downward in a cyclic manner. And in turn, the drive shafts 211 may rotate via the main belt 5. Further, the transmission device 2 may activate to rotate the connection rotating shaft 225, the first wheel 224, the first rotating shaft 221, the second wheel 223, the third wheel 222, and the flywheel 228 in sequence.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A folding step exerciser comprising: a main frame for placement on a surface and comprising a brace interconnecting a front end and a rear end, and a pair of handlebars extending from a top end of the brace; a transmission device comprising two coaxial drive shafts disposed on both sides of the brace respectively, a first rotating shaft disposed below the drive shafts, a first wheel coaxial with the first rotating shaft, a first belt for linking the drive shafts and the first wheel, a second wheel coaxial with the first rotating shaft, a connection rotating shaft disposed between and driven by the drive shafts, a third wheel disposed between the drive shafts adjacent to the connection rotating shaft, a second belt for linking the second wheel and the third wheel, a roller for guiding the second belt, and a flywheel operatively connected to the connection rotating shaft; two length adjustable pedals disposed on both sides of the main frame respectively, each length adjustable pedal having one end pivotably secured to a front portion of the main frame; a pulley disposed below the transmission device; a main belt for linking the pulley, the drive shafts, and the length adjustable pedals; a magnetic damping device comprising a knob on the main frame, a damping member spaced from and partially put on the flywheel, the damping member including a magnetic member for attracting the flywheel, and a rope interconnecting the knob and the damping member; a sensor disposed in close proximity to one of the length adjustable pedals for sensing a pedaling motion of one of the length adjustable pedals; and a numeric display mounted between the handlebars for displaying a count of the pedaling motion of one of the length adjustable pedals sensed by the sensor; wherein a turning of the knob either decreases or increases a rotating speed of the flywheel; and wherein the pedaling motion of the length adjustable pedals rotates the drive shafts via the main belt so as to activate the transmission device which in turn rotate the connection rotating shaft, the first wheel, the first rotating shaft, the second wheel, the third wheel, and the flywheel sequentially. 